The USMNT’s hopes of leveling with Mexico as the most successful nation in the history of the CONCACAF Gold Cup have been dashed after a shocking defeat to Panama after penalties. Despite going on a run of 4 games unbeaten in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the USMNT have now seen their unbeaten run crippled.
USA started the tournament with a 1-1 draw to Jamaica. The team gave a below-par performance, causing many to doubt their chances of reaching the tournament’s latter stages. However, two consecutive 6-0 wins over ‘Trinidad & Tobago’ and ‘St. Kitts & Nevis’ booked the USMNT a spot in the tournament’s quarter-finals.
Panama on the other hand, is advancing to their first Gold Cup final in ten years at the expense of the USMNT.
USMNT vs. Panama Match Overview
The USMNT headed into their semi-final match against Panama as the favorites. Nonetheless, things didn’t turn out as expected, as the team suffered a shocking 5-4 defeat on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the extra time. Panama started the game brightly and gave the USMNT a run for their money. Panama had 56% possession, completing 83% of 693 passes which was superior to the USMNT’s 44% possession and 79% pass completion.
Panama beat the USMNT 5-4 on penalties to advance to their first Gold Cup final in 10 years 👏 pic.twitter.com/CB0qONv8tQ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 13, 2023
After a keenly-contested 90 minutes, both teams headed into extra time, hoping to find the winner. Panama broke the deadlock when Ivan Andersen put one past Matt Turner just nine minutes into extra time. Panama’s lead over the USMNT didn’t last long, as in-form striker Jesus Ferriera equalized for the USMNT in the 105th minute.
Matt Turner couldn’t repeat his penalty heroics in the penalty shootout, as Panama put five of their six spot-kicks past the Arsenal goalkeeper. Christian Roldan missed the USMNT’s last penalty, giving Panama a historic win.
USMNT’s Journey to CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 Semifinals
The USMNT performed superbly in the group stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, recording two 6-0 wins and a 1-1 draw. The team headed into their quarter-final match against Canada as the clear favorites, and even though the match dragged on longer than expected, Matt Turner proved the difference by saving two penalties.
Despite losing to Panama in a shocking 5-4 defeat on penalties, with Jesus Ferreira missing one of the two missed spot-kicks, his seven goals in the tournament will see him awarded the tournament’s highest goalscorer. With this feat, he matched Clint Dempsey’s record for the most goals scored by a USMNT player in a single tournament.
Will Panama upset the odds when they face Mexico in Sunday’s CONCACAF Gold Cup final? Share your thoughts with us!
